After waiting for 16 days, I finally received a text message from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, notifying me that my application for filing has been successfully approved. As a first-time filer, there were many things that I didn't understand, so it took me a long time to complete the process. I have a friend who applied for filing on the same day as me, and he got approved in just one week, while it took me two weeks.

On the same night when I registered the domain name, I also purchased an Alibaba Cloud server, which offers free filing service. Since I had multiple unused domain names and it was my first time filing, I decided to file for two domain names at once to save myself from future trouble. (PS: One Alibaba Cloud server can file for up to 5 domain names)

After filling in the basic information and uploading photos, I received a call from Alibaba Cloud customer service the next day, telling me that my website name didn't comply with the regulations (PS: Personal filers should not use keywords like XX网, 部落, 博客, pure English, etc.), and asked me to make changes. So I came up with a random name (the actual name of the website can be changed later), and the customer service helped me modify it. It passed the initial review quickly, only taking one day.

After passing the initial review, Alibaba sent a backdrop and asked me to take a photo with it using SF Express for free. It took me 4 days to receive the backdrop and take the photo (because of my work, I procrastinated a bit, it could have been done in 3 days). Then I filled out the verification form and mailed it to Alibaba Cloud for review (actually, it could have been sent after passing the initial review, but I waited until I received the backdrop and took the photo, which delayed it for another 3 days). After Alibaba received the verification form, it immediately submitted it to the regulatory authority for the final review, which took 3 days.

It is important to follow the instructions when taking photos with the backdrop to avoid rejection, but the photo size doesn't have to be exactly according to the standard, although the error shouldn't be too large.

When submitting for the regulatory authority's review, I happened to encounter a weekend, which extended the time by 2 days. I finally received a text message confirming the approval of the filing after 16 days. It was really not easy.

Summary:

1. In the future, I must prepare and fill out the verification form in advance (print multiple copies to avoid mistakes), which can save at least one day.
2. If there is an Alibaba Cloud photo location nearby, it's better to go there directly for the photo instead of waiting for the mailed express, which can save at least two days.
3. You don't have to wait until after using the backdrop to take the photo before mailing the verification form. You can mail it after the initial review. This can save at least three days.

As long as luck is not too bad (such as encountering holidays), it shouldn't be a problem to pass the review in about a week. The main issue is the lack of experience in the first-time filing, which caused the process to be dragged out for too long. Finally, I wish all the friends who are filing for success!